The Variety Heritage Adventure Park is now open and it's spectacular!

The Variety Heritage Adventure Park is a world class, one-of-a-kind adventure park whose play elements are based on the natural and human history of The Forks (and, by extension, Manitoba and Canada). Children and their families can see, touch and experience 6,000 years of Manitoba’s history through hands-on play, and on top of that, the adventure park and its play elements were designed to be accessible to children of all abilities. Access to the Variety Heritage Adventure Park is free, making this an affordable activity for all families! 

The adventure park features seven distinct play zones: The First Peoples, the Fur Trade, the Métis, the Settlers, the French Quarter, the "Iron Horse" and the Metropolis, each encompassing a distinct period in the region's history. Kids can climb on fort walls, take a slide out the back of a Red River cart, blow a train whistle and "row" a York boat. There a large musical instruments, an historic French streetscape, a tipi and a trading post. 

There is also a special river area featuring water spray pop-ups which operates from mid-June to September 3, which will be flooded and frozen in the winter to form a skating rink.  

What is great about this park is that it's a new and innovative way of getting kids interested in our history by combining learning and active play. momstown members be sure to check out the calendar. We've set up a few playdates at the park on August 12 and 26.

You can find out more information at http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/lhn-nhs/mb/forks/activ/papv-vhap.aspx.


All images are copyright to Parks Canada. Use of these photos without Parks Canada's permission is forbidden.

A Messy yet Fun Picasso's in the Park Event

momstown Winnipeg had our first playdate event this past weekend at Kildonan Park. How could our first event not be Picasso's in the Park. After all, it is a momstown standard! It was great to see so many families come on out. And we couldn't have lucked out more with the beautiful weather.

The kids had a blast getting messy. This month's theme is construction, so we had trucks or as my daughter calls them "mighty machines" there too for the kids to use as painting props.

It was great to see dad's come on out too.

I always love to see baby's getting messy too. What a cutie pie she is!

The kid's helped paint murals, and then made their own masterpieces to take home. We had a drying station for their masterpieces to dry off while they ate their picnics or played in the park.

We also made sure we had goodies for the kids, as well as juice and water to help cool off in the heat. And let's not forget the coffee for the parents courtesy of Tim Hortons. After all, momstown isn't just for the kiddies!

A special thanks to Lindsay Wollard from Creative Photojournalism for taking these amazing photos of the event. If you're looking for a photographer to take photos of your kids, check out her website to see her wonderful work.

We had a blast and we hope those of you who made it out did too. We have another Picasso in the Park scheduled in August for momstown members, so if you haven't signed up for your 4 week trial, please do so here and join us this summer at many more events just like this!

Kidsfest Review & Giveaway - CLOSED

Looking for something fun to do this month? Take the whole family to Kidsfest! This year's Kidsfest is June 9-12 at The Forks in Winnipeg. 

Kidsfest is put on by the Winnipeg International Children’s Festival, who has been entertaining children and their families for over 25 years with positive educational entertainment - in a festival environment created just for them.

I went to check out www.kidsfest.ca to see what types of activities they have planned. First off, you should check out their website. Not only is it fun and colourful but it’s so well laid out and easy to find what you’re looking for. The site is loaded with details of the upcoming event.

Dress up & make a wacky hat!

So what will you expect to see at Kidsfest this year? They have everything from zany circus acts, high strung acrobatics, kidstock for the music lovers and loads of arts and crafts (a momstown Winnipeg favourite)! 

Arts & Crafts is a momstown Winnipeg favourite!

Fred Penner and The Cats Meow Band will be there, along with Dallas Arcand, a high energy Aboriginal entertainer.  And of course there is good old traditional face painting! The list is too long to mention everyone. Check out their website for the full line up of performers and the fun activities they have planned. Last but not least, they will have fireworks for the whole family to enjoy!

Fred Penner is a childhood favourite for me!

Who wouldn't want their face painted?

Tickets are now on sale. Hurry before June 12 to take advantage of their advance ticket prices. Available May 9 – June 12 at all Winnipeg Safeway and Assiniboine Credit Union locations. Cost is $12 each or a Family Pack of 4 for $40.

Or you can purchase tickets at the gate: Available June 9 – June 12 at the Box Office onsite. Cost is $14 each or a Family Pack of 4 for $48.

Free admission for children under 2 years of age. Children under 12 pay once and then can visit the Festival again and again (they just need to report to the Box Office with their attached wristband and trade it in daily).

Want to win tickets? We’re giving away a family pack of 4!  
Simply make a comment here as to which performer or activity your kids would want to see/do the most. Go to www.kidsfest.ca to see the full line up and list of activities they have planned. We’ll randomly select one lucky reader! Hurry this contest ends soon! Winner will be announced June 5!

Wordless Wednesday - Nature's Playground